Before You Buy an Espresso Machine, Consider This . . .

Written by John R. Barker

Continued from page 1

Overall Value:

Value is really a comparison of above features, weighted against price of machine. Are you willing to pay twice as much for a machine that looks stunning, but is functionally similar to another? That's your call!

Whatever you do, remember that espresso is one of life's finer pleasures. This probably isn't most practical investment you'll ever make, but it will bring years of enjoyment and happiness. As is case with most things, you will get what you pay for - I recommend you buy best machine you can afford whether this machine be for home, office or business use. As soon as you start enjoying your own handcrafted lattes and mochas, your investment will feel well worth it!

Espresso Machines and more offers a wide variety of quality information on the world's favorite beverage - coffee and espresso. Find answers to all of your questions about espresso at http://www.espresso-machine.biz

What is Sustainable Coffee and How Does it Affect My Wake Cup?

One group, Fairtrade Labeling Organizations International (FLO) has been active in monitoring and certifying, auditing and verifying standards for sustainable coffees. Another, named Transfair USA, carries on similar activities in American coffee market. Consumers are justifiably confused when many terms are applied to sustainable coffees and fail to differentiate between organic, eco-friendly, fair trade and sustainable terms.

Premium prices are sometimes supported by certification, labeling and monitoring by third-party organizations and sometimes by local governments such as "Jamaica Coffee Industry Board." But some labeling is simply slick sales and PR by greedy corporations seeking premium prices for average coffee beans, so support for labeling initiatives and independent certification is growing.

Fair Trade and sustainable coffees are seeing increasing production in Central and South American growing regions, most notably in Mexico and Peru. Columbia has seen some pressure and attempts to divert production of cocaine with coffee crops for fair trade market with little major success to report so far. Uganda, Tanzania and Ethiopia are big participants in sustainable coffees in Africa while East Timor, India and Indonesia are major supporters of sustainable coffee in Asia.

But major grocery chains are seeing demand for sustainable coffee and may adopt fair trade and organic coffees to sell nationwide at Safeway, Kroger and Albertson's stores. Increases in availability, demand and awareness of sustainable coffee are leading to more of same in a spiraling increase for fair trade organic and shade coffees in premium markets. Some sustainable coffees are even finding their way into instant coffees, but vast majority of sustainable market is in premium and specialty markets.

Tastes of The World coffee company http://www.tastesoftheworld.net Rare Gourmet Coffee from Jamaica Blue Mountain to Kopi Luwak exotic and fine Italian Espressos from Illy and Marcafe as well as a selection of premium Puerto Rican coffees including Cafe Tres Picachos. Come discuss your favorites in the coffee talk forums at http://www.tastesoftheworld.net/talk/